Inlays and Onlays
When a filling is too little and a dental crown is too much, an inlay or onlay can be the ideal restoration for your smile.
These restorations fit in snugly after treatment for a cavity or injury, restoring your bite and protecting your tooth from further damage.
Let Dr. Ann Sielicki in Scottsdale, AZ, get you smiling again with a natural-looking inlay or onlay.
Fillings, Inlays, Onlays, and Crowns What's the Difference?
Inlays, onlays, dental crowns, and dental fillings are all dental restorations that are placed after treatment for trauma, cavities, or decay, but there are key distinctions between the four.
Fillings are direct restorations, which means that are fabricated inside the mouth. They are typically used to restore the chewing surface of the tooth after treatment for small cavities. As much of the natural tooth structure is preserved as possible.
Inlays are indirect restorations, which means they are fabricated outside the mouth and placed later. They are very similar to fillings, but generally larger. They cover the grooves of the chewing surface of the tooth, but not the outer cusps.
Onlays are also indirect restorations. They are usually quite a bit larger than inlays, but smaller than crowns, and cover or replace the outer cusps of the tooth. An onlay may be designed to cover half or more of the natural tooth structure, depending on your needs.
A dental crown is an indirect restoration that covers the tooth from the gumline up over the cusps. These restorations are usually used to restore a tooth after treatment for severe decay or infection, such as after root canal therapy, but they can also be used in cosmetic dentistry.
Each of these dental solutions can go far in safeguarding your dental health. The main difference is the size and area of the tooth they are intended to cover. At most practices dental inlays, onlays, and crowns require multiple appointments to fabricate and place. However, our dental office in Scottsdale, AZ, has a CEREC CAD/CAM milling system that allows our dentist to complete your tooth restoration in just one day.
We Use Premium Materials For Dental Inlays and Onlays
Our practice makes inlays and onlays from porcelain, a material superior to gold or composite resin. Porcelain is durable enough to withstand the force of your bite for years, and it can be precisely color-matched to your natural tooth shade.
Dr. Sielicki is a seasoned dentist who pays careful attention to aesthetics in dentistry, so you can rest assured that your dental restoration will blend in seamlessly with the rest of your tooth.
How Long Do Inlays and Onlays Last?
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Dental inlays and onlays are designed to stand the test of time, and typically last for more than 20 years. When the time does come to replace them, your dentist will gently remove the restoration from the tooth, thoroughly clean the tooth, and then fit the tooth with a new version that looks practically the same.
Are Dental Inlays and Onlays Covered by Insurance?
Inlays and onlays are covered by some insurance providers, but not all. It depends on whether your provider considers the treatment medically necessary dentistry. Our practice accepts most types of dental insurance, and we can help you verify your coverage for an inlay or onlay before treatment.
If your provider doesn't cover your procedure, don't worry—these dental restorations are typically very affordable, especially in contrast to larger restorations like dental crowns. We also accept CareCredit® financing so you can pay for your treatment over several months rather than all at once.
